War Child - Children of Syria Appeal

By now you will have heard the news stories and seen the images of the violent conflict that continues to rage in Syria. The ‘Arab Spring’ reached Syria in March 2011 but has been resisted by President Assad’s regime ever since. Protests have been met with a brutal response from the country’s security forces, and civilian populations have been attacked with heavy weaponry.

Over 10,000 people are estimated to have died since the violence began, and tens of thousands have fled over the borders as refugees into Lebanon and Turkey. The Syrian army has fired upon its own people trying to leave the country and it is believed they have laid landmines to deter them.

The conflict in Syria has hit children hard. Stories are emerging of children being detained and tortured by the security forces.

It is estimated that more than 1,000 children have been killed in the conflict so far.

“We need to tell our leaders that events in Syria cannot be tolerated, and that the failure of the system to stop them is unacceptable. We need to mobilise all the support we can for the children and families whose lives have been shattered by the fighting all around them”
Rob Williams, CEO, War Child UK

War Child staff on the ground in Lebanon – where many of the refugees from Syria have fled - are setting up projects to help children and families crossing the border but they need help to do this. War Child have launched an emergency appeal to support children affected by this conflict www.warchild.org.uk/syria please give as generously as you are able.

Their projects on the Lebanese border are less than 50 miles from Homs and Houla. Many families who were besieged in their homes by the shelling and snipers have escaped into Lebanon.

Most fled with little more than the clothes on their backs and now find themselves needing to pay for their rent and food.

It’s a bewildering and scary time for many of the children. They really need a routine and a sense of normality. Spending time with each other in a safe, nurturing environment is a great way for children to cope with the stress and upheaval that’s going on all around them.

Creating safe, child-friendly environments
War Child will be supporting children in five separate nurseries in northern Lebanon. Trained counsellors will use art and music therapy as a means of helping the young children express their emotions in a healthy way.

Helping children to get back into school
War Child will also help children enrol into schools in Lebanon so they don’t miss out on their education. They’ll be providing catch-up lessons to help them follow the local curriculum.

Donating to this appeal will save and change lives
War Child’s projects – administered by their existing Lebanon office – are up and running. The money you donate to the appeal will begin to be spent directly and immediately.

War Child’s commitment to these children is a long-term one. When it is safe enough for the children and their families to return to Syria, their projects will follow them back home and help them reintegrate back into their schools and communities.